Saltillo Varsity Girls Basketball Tournament Gets Under Way Thursday Morning
The ten team Saltillo Varsity Girls Basketball Tournament got underway at 8 a.m. Thursday (November 21) in Kerry Garmon Gym as host Saltillo tipped off against Clarksville. Later Thursday, Saltillo will play Prairiland at around 6 p.m. Saltillo, Clarksville and Prairiland are joined by Bullard and Whitewright in Pool B. Teams in Pool A include Dodd City, Chisum, Quinlan Ford, North Lamar and CHESS. Pool play continues through Friday. The top two seeds in each pool after pool play will advance into the Gold Bracket for Saturday play. Seeds 3 and 4 will advance into the Silver Bracket also playing on Saturday.
Daingerfield to Play Blue Ridge in Area Playoff Game at The Prim Friday Night
Gerald Prim Stadium in Sulphur Springs will be hosting another high school playoff game this weekend. There were three games at The Prim last weekend. Friday night (November 22) at 7:30 p.m., Daingerfield will be in town playing Blue Ridge in an Area round game. Daingerfield comes in with a 9-2 record while Blue Ridge is 7-4. These teams are in Region III, Class 3A, Division II
In other games of local interest, the Cumby Trojans are also in the Area playoff round. The Trojans, 8-3 for the season, are taking on Grapeland, 9-2 so far this season, at Bullard’s Panther Stadium Friday night at 7 p.m. These teams are in Region III, Class 2A, Division II.
Winnsboro is also playing an Area playoff game against Dallas Madison Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Greenville’s Cotton Ford Stadium. Winnsboro comes in 7-4 while Dallas Madison is 9-2. These teams are in Region II, Class 3A, Division I.
North Hopkins FFA Update
By Jessica Hatley, North Hopkins FFA
This Year
This year, the North Hopkins FFA has had a very busy, but rewarding year. From kickoff to service projects to LDE’s, we have been hard at work, making this an already amazing year. All of what we have done so far, has been possible due to our awesome advisors, Ms. Daugherty, Mrs. Bettes, and
Mr. Asbill, as well as our outstanding chapter officers, Madison, Ashley, Brennen, Geoffrey, Aden, Lindey, Jessica, Tate, Kenna and Jalyn.
Monthly Chapter Meetings
This year, our officers are dedicated to having fun, monthly chapter meetings in order to unify our members, and keep them up to date with the many things going on in our chapter.
In September, we had our annual North Hopkins FFA Kickoff, with delicious food and fun activities, including chicken poop bingo, and a cow bounce house. This also allowed members to pay their dues, order apparel, and receive their Fresh Country fund raising packets.
In October, the members teamed up, and competed in Ag. Olympics. These olympics were set up as a relay race, with members completing their own task, and then tagging the next person in line to complete a different task. These tasks included dressing a scare-crow in Official Dress, milking a fake cow, gutting a pumpkin, egg races, and finally, a three-legged race. The
Olympics were followed by snacks and more fun.
The November meeting brought just as much excitement, with s’mores and glow-in-the-dark capture the flag. We can’t wait for our December meeting and would like to invite all members to attend.
We also now have Ag in the Classroom for our Junior FFA members. These usually take place on the same day as our chapter meetings, shortly before the meeting. This has allowed us to educate our young members and prepare them for their bright future within the Ag and FFA world.
Competitions
As a chapter, we have already competed in very many competitions this year. Some of the shop kids competed in the Red River Valley Welding Competition. The kids with show animals have also been working hard and competing at jackpot shows. And, of course, you can’t forget all that we have done in LDE competitions.
Leadership Development Events
This year, our chapter hosted district LDE’s at our school. We had a lot of success and sent four of our eight teams to Area competition. From there, our Greenhand Chapter Conductors got 4th place, Senior Chapter Conductors received 6th, Job Interview placed 11th, and our Senior Skill Team placed 12th. It was great that we did so well in our Area VI competitions, especially with our small school.
We are so proud of everyone who has already competed this year, and can’t wait to show our skills to everyone in the upcoming competitions, such as CDE’s in the spring.
Teen Jailed After Bond Revoked; 3 Others Arrested On Warrants
November 19, 2021 – At least three people were booked into Hopkins County jail on warrants, and one man was arrested at the courthouse after his probation was revoked, according to arrest and jail reports.
DeAnthony Rayon Moore, 19, of Sulphur Springs was arrested at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Hopkins County Courthouse on an order revoking his bond on a manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone. He remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday. His new bond is set at $100,000, according to arrest and jail reports.
Wednesday marked the second time Moore has been booked into Hopkins County jail this year. He was also arrested June 10 on a manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 2 or 2A controlled substance warrant. His bond was set at $30,000, and he was released from the county jail on that charge on Sept. 30, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Fite traveled to Dallas County, where he took 31-year-old Alfred Jerod Whetstone of Dallas into custody at 1:57 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, on a felony warrant. Fite transported Whetstone to the county jail, where he was held on the warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for delivery of one-fourth ounce or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana in a drug-free zone, according top arrest and jail reports.
Whetsone was arrested on the delivery of marijuana charge on May 12, 2016, and released to serve a three-year probation sentence to run through May 11, 2019. His arrest Nov. 20 marked the second time he has been jailed for violating terms of probation on the charge, according to jail reports. He was arrested March 29, 2017, for violating terms of probation on the charge and remained in the county jail until July 18, 2017. The current warrant for his arrest for violating terms of probation was issued in April of 2018, and served Nov. 20, according to court and jail documents.
He also has outstanding Hunt County warrants alleging delivery of one-fourth ounce or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana charge, bail jumping and failure to appear on a possession of marijuana charge and open container in a vehicle-passenger; and a McCurtain County assault and battery with a deadly weapon warrant, according to jail reports.
Police spotted a 28-year-old Sulphur Springs man riding a bicycle on Lee Street without a headlight around 2:45 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. The man was detained. A records check showed him to be wanted on two public intoxication charges. Thus, he was jailed on the warrants. The man was convicted of PI on Dec. 13, 2018, and May 14, 2019. Warrants for his arrest were issued Sept. 10 and served Nov. 21, for failing to meet the terms of his conviction — which included paying $331.50 each for the charges.
A Winnsboro man, 26 was also also taken into custody Thursday on warrant for not paying speeding and driving while license invalid charges.
Odell Reportedly In Stable Condition In Tyler ICU
Former Precinct 2 Commissioner Mike Odell remains in the ICU at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler Thursday; his condition was reported to be “about the same” this morning.
Odell made it through pelvic surgery to put screws in both sides of his pelvis, and is listed in stable condition in ICU. His wife, Rose, reports that his recovery will be a long road, reported a family friend, who notes, “the family still needs lots of prayers.
Odell was injured Tuesday afternoon in a tractor accident south of Como and was flown from near the accident site to the Tyler trauma center with several severe injuries.
12th Annual Sulphur Springs Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade Set Dec. 6
November 21, 2019 – As the season of giving approaches, the Sulphur Springs Lions are preparing for a spectacular Christmas Light Parade.
The 12th annual Sulphur Springs Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade, presented by Carriage House Manor, will be held in downtown Sulphur Springs at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. As the sky darkens, the festively illuminated parade entries will bring Christmas cheer to the viewers along the parade route.
This year, due to the construction on Connally Street, the parade route will begin at Buford Park and head east on Houston Street to Church Street. Then, the parade will turn south (right) on Church Street, wind around the west side of Celebration Plaza, and end at Tapp Funeral Home on Gilmer Street.
The Lions Club offers special thanks to title sponsor Carriage House Manor as well as sponsors Alliance Bank, City National Bank, Farmers Electric Cooperative, Legacy Ag Credit, Brian Toliver Ford, Farm County, Jay Hodge Chevrolet, Nortex Tractor and Saputo.
Entry forms for the Lighted Christmas Parade can be picked up at any of sponsor location or at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, 110 Main St. The deadline to enter the parade is Tuesday, Dec. 3.
The Sulphur Springs Lions Club meets at noon every Tuesday at Pizza Inn, 1320 Mockingbird Lane. Lions clubs are a group of men and women who identify and work to fulfill needs within the community. For more information or to get involved with the Sulphur Springs Lions Club, visit a club meeting or check out their Facebook page.
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with nearly 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired, made a strong commitment to community service and served young people throughout the world. For more information about the Lions Clubs International please visit, www.lionsclubs.org.
UPRA Rodeo Has Come to Town! Will Observe 40th Rodeo Finals In Hopkins County Civic Center Arena
We had a visit from Oscar Aguilar, local rodeo promoter associated with United Professional Rodeo Association since 1979, and he brought the rodeo announcer team of T.C. Long and Garrett Yerigan to the KSST Good Morning Show on Thursday November 21, 2019. A certain energy was in the room with this trio who each brought a passionate interest to the conversation!
T.C. Long has been the UPRA Rodeo Finals announcer for the past ten years. He had established a rodeo announcing career prior to being hired by UPRA, but has found a home with the organization. “The UPRA, initially the CRA or Central Rodeo Association, has grown into a six-state major event with over $350,000 in cash prizes paid out through the 2019 season. In Sulphur Springs, we will go three rounds, that’s Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday night, and will be crowning a new UPRA Champion athlete for 2019, as well as a new UPRA Queen to represent the Association throughout the 2020 circuit.”
Garret is in his first year with the UPRA, and hails from Pryor in northeastern Oklahoma. “Having a good voice is not all there is or even an interest in rodeo, although that’s helpful. We put in hours of study and note-taking before each performance, because you really want to ignite the audience’s interest in each performer, whether they be an animal athlete, rider or roper. None of these performers get to the Finals without a strong will to succeed, and that makes the most dedicated individuals rise to the top. For example, there’s a young barrel racer in the Finals this weekend who is also completing final exams toward her career in nursing. That tidbit of knowledge says a lot about the person, and social media reveals a lot of that kind of useful information. So, an informed announcer can do the same with the rough stock too, let’s say a bull or a horse that bucks a certain style or pattern, well, it’s rider must have studied that habit before they get on board, in order to successfully make the ride. We like sharing that essential knowledge with the audience, too. And UPRA will show you some outstanding talent this weekend!”
Oscar Aguilar, who has served as President of the Association and as a Director, first got on board in 1979 when the initial Finals was held in Sulphur Springs’ brand new Hopkins County Civic Center arena. Oscar has been involved with the Handicapable Rodeo since 1985, and he proudly stated “this year, 425 children are coming to the Handicapable Rodeo on Friday morning, children who are handicapped and special needs and who may have never gotten the chance to see a horse up close or meet a cowboy or cowgirl. Now, they have a chance to actually meet these performers and experience a horse ride and a hay ride with SSHS Key Club student chaperones”. Oscar explained, “some of the top 15 performers in the events you will watch at this rodeo are local athletes, like Chanie Graves, Keon Miller and Waycie Hathcox and others. Even though they have demonstrated grit and determination to make it this far, they still need you making noise for them here at home during their rides and showing your pride in their success!”
Thursday night is Military Night, with free admission for military personnel, and Friday night is First Responder Night with free admission for responders in uniform or with ID. Also, children 10 and under get in free Thursday and Friday night. For adults, tickets are $10 at the gate, and on Saturday will be $5 for age 5 -10 and children younger then 5 admitted free.
Wildcats Pitcher Chaney Signs With Ouachita
Wildcats Baseball Pitcher and Slugger Jaxon Chaney Signs With Ouachita Baptist University
Wildcats senior baseball pitcher, infielder and slugger Jaxon Chaney, the son of Brent and Deann Chaney, signed a letter of intent to play college baseball at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Chaney says everything happened fast. He says he got a call from one of his baseball coaches in summer leagues who told him about Ouachita Baptist. Soon after Chaney took a visit to Arkadelphia. Chaney met Ouachita’s Head Baseball Coach Luke Howard. Chaney says he liked the things Howard talked about. After sleeping on it, Chaney called the next day and told Coach Howard he wanted to play for him for the next four years. Chaney also loved the Ouachita campus. He likes the fact it is a small school with only about 1500 students. He says it’s a close knit community and has a great hometown feeling. Chaney says Ouachita wants him to pitch and play in the infield. Chaney feels his best ticket to getting on the field quickly will be as a starting pitcher. Chaney sees several things he needs to improve on before getting to the next level. One is arm velocity. He says he knows he can’t get many batters out throwing 82 miles per hour. He says he needs a fourth pitch, perhaps a slider to go with his fast ball, curve ball and change up. Chaney says he wants more consistency in his swing so he can put the ball in play harder more often while striking out less and hitting more home runs. Chaney says he wants to major in sports management. Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack calls Chaney a phenomenal athlete and says Chaney is right up there with the best players Coach Hammack has had in his 14 years at Sulphur Springs. He calls Chaney a competitor with real power. Coach Hammack recalls Chaney hitting an opposite field home run in Rockwall against Prosper in the playoffs. He says the Wildcats season last year turned better when Chaney overcame an arm soreness and was able to pitch again. Coach Hammack says he would like to make it to Arkansas to see Chaney and Ouachita play former Wildcat teammate Kaden Argenbright and Henderson State. The schools are located across the street from each other in Arkadelphia and are huge rivals.
Wildcats Basketball Coach Cipoletta Talks Teamwork
Wildcats Basketball Coach Delighted With the Way His Team Shared the Basketball In Big Win
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta says he had not had a team score 100 points since he’s been Head Coach in Sulphur Springs, until Tuesday night. The Wildcats defeated Pleasant Grove, 103-52 Tuesday night at home. Coach Cipoletta’s Wildcats did score 94 points in a win over Princeton last season back in January. After the game Tuesday, Coach Cipoletta was much more interested in discussing how his team played Tuesday. He says just about everyone on his team has the ability to shoot the ball well enough to extend defenses. Coach Cipoletta says the Wildcats were hitting on all cylinders Tuesday night. He says his team loves to share the ball finding teammates who have better shots than the passes does. Coach Cipoletta says if the Wildcats keep doing that, they can really be a special team. He comments on the break out night for point guard Lamodrick Johnson, who scored 20 points. He says Johnson is very dynamic with the ball and is a nightmare to guard one on one. He says the Wildcats hit some outside shots early that caused the Hawks’ defense to spread out. Coach Cipoletta says Johnson took advantage of that to penetrate inside. He says he was pleased with the effort and results he got from bench players Ja’Tavian Hall, Caleb Alexander and Malique Cole. Coach Cipoletta also comments on senior Grayson McClure who hit 4 three pointers Tuesday night. He says McClure went 0 for 6 during the Decatur game last Saturday. He says he was pleased when McClure’s first three point shot went in Tuesday. McClure seemed to get into a special zone in a third quarter stretch when he hit three three-pointers. The 2-0 Wildcats, ranked #5 in Class 5A, play Byron Nelson Tuesday in Trophy Club, located 20 miles north of Fort Worth near Denton.
